ShareThisInspirational diva Jamie Rivera is more than excited with the visit in the Philippines of Pope Francis.
She has all the reasons to be so. Her her own composition has been chosen as the official theme song for the papal visit.
She is also scheduled to sing the theme song.
Jamie Rivera used to be known as one of several Filipinas who have played the role of Kim in the London West End production of “Miss Saigon.”’
She later busied herself with spiritual music and in fact performed “Tell The World of His Love,” the official theme song of the Manila visit of the late Pope John Paul II in 1995.
Jamie said when she heard the announcement of the Pope’s visit to the Philippines, she was moved to write “We Are All God’s Children,” which she recorded and released last November.
Jamie told News5’s MJ Marfori that the lyrics, which she based on the Pope’s message of “Mercy and Compassion”, were written in a span of two months.
“I turned it into a song, ‘Do you see these children on the streets? Have you walked the pavements where they sleep? Do you feel their hands when you give them alms? Did you ever give them bread to eat?,” Jamie said, reciting the song’s opening verse.
As the Pope is also scheduled to visit the Yolanda-ravaged provinces of Leyte, Jamie also included some references to destruction left by the killer typhoon in its wake in the song’s second verse: “Have you seen their homes washed by the floods?
While a mother tightly holds her child Do you hear the wind of the raging storm?
Can you tell them where it’s coming from?”
Jamie hopes those who will personally come and see the Pope will sing along to the song when she performs it with the Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 16 and again at the University of Santo Tomas in January 18.
“Para pagdating ng Santo Papa sabay-sabay nating aawitin para sa kanya, para magandang tingnan, para makita niya ang preparasyon natin sa kanyang pagdating,” she concluded.
Rivera shared that she called Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines, to ask if she could submit a song for the Papal visit.
“Sabi ni Archbishop Socrates Villegas ‘Sige,’” she said.
Rivera said she was thrilled in learning her song was picked by the Vatican.
“Archbishop Villegas called me sabi ‘It will going to be the official song for the Papal visit,’” she recalled.
Rivera’s song carries the message of solidarity with the poor and mercy to the weak.
“I wanted to show kasi the humility of the Pope. Kasi nga he is known for being humble and very humane,” she said.
Pope Francis will be the third pontiff to visit the Philippines after Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1981 and 1995.
Titled “We Are All God’s Children, the song’s message is all about equality in the eyes of God. “Solidarity to the poor and mercy to the weak… we should help the poor with joy and humility,” Jamie explained.
The music is composed and arranged by Noel Espenida. Here’s the lyrics of the song:
Jamie Rivera –
We Are All God’s Children Lyrics
Do you see these children on the streets?
Have you walked the pavements where they sleep?
Do you feel their hand when you give them alms?
Did you ever give them bread to eat?
Have you seen their homes washed by the floods?
While a mother tightly holds her child
Do you hear the wind of the raging storm?
Can you tell them where it’s coming from?
Let us show our love and mercy
With true kindness and humility
For God loves the weak and the needy
Just like you and me
We are all God’s children
We are all the same
He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame
And learn what life is really for
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord
Stand together and let’s do our part
Hear their voices mend their broken hearts
Choose to be brave, fight for their rights
Give them back their honor and their pride
Please do not be blind
And just leave them behind
To struggle in darkness
Or give them empty promises
We are all God’s children
We are all the same
He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame
And learn what life is really for
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord